Chassis for motor-cycle side cars



T. GORDON.

CHASSIS FOR MOTOR CYCLE SIDE CARS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.21. 1920.

1,425,380. A gs, 192.2.

8 wuenioz ZZvmad 07166 )1 GHASSIS son MOTOR-CYCLE SIDE cans.

Application filed August 21, 1920. Serial No'..4.-05, 192.

T 0 ZZ whom a: may concern.

Be it known that I, Tntoiras GORDON, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at 26 1 Murray Street, Perth, Western Australia, Commonwealth of Australia. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chassis for Motor-Cycle Side Cars, of which the following is a specification. i

This invention embodies certain new and useful improvements in and additions to the chassis of the side cars of motor cycles whereby special provision is made for their more effective and better spring equipment and structural resiliency than has heretofore been devised.

The invention essentially comprises four main structural factors and advantages z 1. Improved springing and seating by means of auxiliary springs at the rear end of the chassis so designed that varying loads automatically bear on thesesprings and bring them into use and action with the result that perfect springing and equal distribution of the load is obtained.

These springs are in perfect and automatic agreement and obedience with varying loads on the car and with the result that the car and its occupants are not subjected to over bumping when the car is running with a reduced or minimum load. I a

A further advantage arising from the use of the auxiliary springs is that the side car may be made of larger size and adapted to carry heavier loads than hitherto In the use of these springs when the load is increased in excessof the capabilities of the existing springs and owingto the resultant depression of the car body-the latter makes operative and seating contact with the auxiliary springs the result being that the car when bearing its excess load is seated on its total spring equipment.

2. Black lash or rebound springs are employed and connected to the main existing springs by a stout leather strap attached to rear cross bar of the chassis. These springs have the effect of preventing any sudden rebound of the car caused by the road shocks while at the same time imparting a gentle up and down springing movement.

3. A front steering leaf spring is employed which consists of an attachment fitted on the front of the chassis and the head of the motor cycle. To obtain maximum effect this spring steering attachment Specification of Letters Patent. Patent d Aug: '8 1922 t is placed as high. up and forward as possiall side drag being absent and nullified and it further enables the side car to be steered comfortably and with a positive responsive actlon and movement. I H p 4. An intermediate and central stay is employed between the body frame of themotor nycle and that of the side car. stay 15 arranged in a flexible an d'yieldable manner withthe result that when .the sid e car is passing over an obstacle it will have the tendency to lean or tilt towards the cycle then readily reassert and resume its P08113101} and without being subjected to over side strain or shock. i i v ,The construction and use of the invention will now be explained Withthe aid of the attached drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the arrangement and dis position of the auxiliary; .the rebound and the front steering leaf spring as fitted on the chassis of the side-car. Fig. 2 is a plan View I of same. Fig.3 is a-detail elevation-of the auxiliarv springs. Fig. at is a front view of the frorit steering leaf spring. Fig. 5 is a front viewof the intermediate central stay; in same the piston and springs are shown in their neutral or normal position. In these views the existing members of the chassis are denoted by broken lines. Referring to said drawingson the central cross stay bar as a of the chassis or under frame of the side car is anchored and secured a group of leaf springs as b by U bolt as .72 A group of said springs as Z) being employed near each inner side bar as b of the chassis.

These springs 32 act as the auxiliary springs and are of an upwardly and rearwardly curved form towards their terminals 5 and thereat and thereon carry a free and loose running roller as 0 whose function is to make seating contact at a rear position with the underside of the floor as 0 of the car. On the said central stay bar and on springs ash is anchored a group of rebound springs as all which are of a downwardly and rearwardly curved. form. These rebound springs cl may lnsome cases form a continuation or extension of the ordinary a front group of C shaped springs as (Z of the chassis; see Fig. 1. The special function and purpose of said rebound springs dais to receive the backlash or recoil of the main rear C shaped springs as d and thus absorbv all resultant and violent'road shocks and jar; On therear end of each group of repillar k of the cycle.

secured in-the jawed bracket f by the through bolt f said bracket f is hingeably and freely carried on the pin 9 held in the anchor stem 9 and which is bolted frontwardly at a high position on or near to the junction of the top stay bar 7s and steering This steeringspring f at its lower end on is rigidly anchored by a shackle and U bolts 41 to the front lower cross stay bar 01 of the "side" car chassis.

r Referringto Fig. 5, in which is shown theintermediate and central stay.

This stay comprises a vertical fixed arm p which atlits base is rigidly secured to the inner side bar b of the chassis and having a reinforcing oradditional stay as 10 This arm 71 at'its head hingeably connects by pin'p witharm 71 On the latter is carriedthe cylinder 0" within which is operatively held the piston W said piston being equipped at each end with coiled springs r i whose duty is to act as shock absorbing agents. The piston r by its rods hingeably connects by pin 8 with the anchor stem 8 said stem by lock nut being rigidly secured at anysuitable position to the body at theends of said spring and adapted to make supporting contact with the floor of saidjside car. y

2. In a chassis suspension for cycle side cars, a chassis frame, main supporting springs secured to said frame having upwardly curved rear ends, a rear cross bar extending transversely of said frame and secured to the rear ends of said main supporting springs, aside car having a floor resting on said rear cross bar, rebound springs secured to said frame having a downwardly and rearwardly curved form, said springs being connected by straps to said rear cross bar.

3. A chassis for cycle side cars comprising a frame, resilient means carried by said frame for supporting said car, said means comprising a spring permanently'supporting said side car and an auxiliary spring engageable within said side car upon a predetermined degree of flattening of said per manent supporting spring," due to increased loading of said side car, and a rebound spring flexing in opposition to the vibration of said permanent supporting spring and operatively connected thereto.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. V

THOMAS GORDON.

Witnesses: RICHARD SPARROW, FRED H. LAMBERT. 

